The Fantasy 413: Sometimes that future you're building for is now

James Shields' impact on the Royals may go beyond the numbers. But in fantasy, there's no such thing.Michael Dwyer / Associated Press

One of the best parts about the length of Major League Baseball’s season is increased opportunity for fantasy owners to make moves for this season or next. While no team in a seasonal league should ever consider giving up, dynasty-league owners should begin to assess their situation.

Is your team a front runner? Have you been acquiring assets looking for a big bat or power arm? Do you have a roster devastated by injuries but still that one superstar you can flip for loads of young talent? The season is about one-quarter over – time to make some decisions.

To help you along, we turn to this past offseason and one of our favorite deals. The Kansas City Royals sent Wil Myers to the Tampa Bay Rays for arms James Shields and Wade Davis. At the time, the Royals were panned in the press for giving up a prospect as hot as Myers.

We liked it, though. The two pitchers are a combined 4-4, but the Royals find themselves battling the Tigers for first place in the American League Central. Obviously, you can’t translate the veteran impact of a guy like Shields on a young team to the fantasy world, but we like seeing a perennial “seller” like the Royals deal some prospects and make a run.

That’s the lesson here – it’s become far too commonplace in keeper leagues to watch teams build and build for a future continually one year away. Sometimes you’ve got to let go of a “binky” and trade your young superstar for some boring, veteran talent. Jump in and let the future take care of itself.

Don’t get carried away. We’re not telling you to deal the next Matt Harvey for A. J. Pierzynski just because you need a catcher, but also don’t close the doors just because you’ve held a certain minor leaguer for a while. He’s not your son.

Loyal reader Greg G. in Southwick sent in a question that goes along with what we’re talking about:

I’m usually near the bottom of my league year in and year out, but I’m 7-2 to start this season and I think I have a shot. I’ve been holding on to Anthony Rendon and Wil Myers for a couple years now, but I’ve been offered Ryan Braun for the pair from an owner who is cashing in the season. Would you do it?

First of all, Greg, you must be in a league with multiple scoring periods per week. Interesting idea. Secondly, YES. Without knowing the specifics of your league, it’s tough to figure out the exact value of prospects like Myers and Rendon, but we know how good Braun is. If you have a chance to get the best outfielder in the game, we say you sweeten that pot even more if the other owner hems or haws.

Building for the future is what makes dynasty leagues great. It’s the long game, and it can prove to be a lot of fun to mold a team over a couple of years, but don’t forget that winning titles is the ultimate prize. Sometimes your chances don’t line up with your prospects, and when that happens, deal the prospects.

* The Fantasy 413 column appears in The Republican and on MassLive each Saturday. The Republican’s fantasy guys can be reached at thefantasy413@gmail.com, Twitter @TheFantasy413 or through the Comments section below.